The Chinese culture has a significant influence on the American gambling industry. Many of todays popular casino games were introduced to American casinos by Chinese immigrants. In this review, you can read about some of the most popular Chinese gambling games that had a successful immigration to the West.
Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker is a hybrid of American poker and traditional Chinese tiles game called Pai Gow. The original tile game Pai Gow, which means Make 9, is one of the most ancient gambling games that are still available in cotemporary casinos. Pai Gow Poker is played with playing cards instead of tiles and it uses the traditional poker hand ranking. It is one of the most popular casino games worldwide and it can be found in almost every major casino in the US. Its online version can be played at most casinos on the internet.
The object of the Pai Gow Poker is to form the highest possible two poker hands, one five card hand and a two card hand, out of the seven cards dealt to each player. Each player competes against the banker that can be either the casino dealer or one of the players who can afford paying the players winnings.
Sic Bo
Sic Bo is yet another popular casino game with roots that go back to ancient China. The chance game came to the States around the beginning of the 20th century by Chinese immigrants. It can be played in most land based casinos in Macau, the US and the UK. Sic Bo has an online version as well.
The meaning of Sic Bo is Dice Pair. It is played with three standard dice on a special table. Each player places any number of bets on the table and then tosses the dice. The outcome is determined by the combinations of the three dice. Each combination has a different payoff according to a payoff schedule, which vary from one casino to the other.
Fan Tan
Fan Tan used to be the most popular gambling game among Chinese gamblers but the glory days of Fan Tan have already passed. During the 1890s, Chinese immigrants brought the game to the United States. At that time, every Chinatown in American City had several Fan Tan houses that were always full of enthusiastic gamblers. Nowadays, you can find Fan Tan in some casinos in Macau as well as in some online gaming sites.
Traditional Fan Tan, not to be confused with the card game of the same name, used to be played with any objects such as coins, dried beans or small buttons on a table with a square marked on it. Fan Tan. The object of the game is pretty simple and odds are 1: 4.
The play begins with the banker puts on the table a pile of objects then covers them with a bowl. Each player has to bet on one of the numbers that mark the four sides of the square, or on one of the corners of the square. After the bowl is removed, the croupier removes four of the objects each time until the last group remains. If 1 object is left, then the player who placed a bet on 1 wins the pot, and so on.
Mahjong
Mahjong is probably the biggest inherit of Chinese culture to the gaming world. The ancient Chinese tile game has many variants worldwide including variety of online games. According to the myth, Mahjong was developed by Confucius around the 500 BC. The game was brought to the United States during the 1920s and soon was very popular especially among women. The game was played in Chinese style decorated rooms with waiters wearing traditional customs.
The American version of Mahjong was developed during the 1930s and it is played in America until today. At the same time, the National Mahjong league was founded. In addition to American Mahjong, there are Japanese, Vietnamese, Cantonese and other variations of the game, which vary from one to the other by their scoring structure, number of tiles and rules variants. In 1998, the China State Sports Commission had set a standard set of rules that will differentiate the illegal gambling game from the skill game.
Mahjong Solitaire, the online version of Mahjong, gains wide popularity recently. The online version of the classic Chinese game is a matching game that uses the Mahjong tiles. Online Mahjong games can be found in many online gaming sites in variety of layouts and versions.
Rabu, 14 April 2010
Selasa, 13 April 2010
Children Across The Country Help New Orleans Students
As workers in New Orleans use bricks and mortar to rebuild the city, Lego is joining the efforts by asking children and parents across the nation to donate Lego bricks for schools and students in New Orleans. The company will match every Lego brick donated to the cause with a new Lego brick.
The rebuilding efforts in New Orleans are under way but locals say there is still a need for more help, especially for the schools. More than 70 percent of schools in New Orleans were damaged by Hurricane Katrina and now just seven of the city's 117 public schools remain open. The school district used to employ 3,500 but has been forced to cut its staff to just 300 people. Several displaced students are now in charter schools, but access to supplies and funding can be limited.
As the community rebuilds, it's crucial for attention to remain on returning normalcy to the lives of children affected by the disaster. Time to play and create is something every child needs, especially the children of New Orleans. But playtime is not just fun time, it's also very important in helping children learn, socialize and develop creative thinking skills that will help them throughout their lives. Teachers across the country are finding it more and more challenging to incorporate creative free play into classroom time, a challenge made even more difficult by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
"We want to inspire children and families everywhere to stay mindful of this massive undertaking, but also to contribute in a playful way to a program that provides opportunities for children in New Orleans to imagine, learn and have fun, all the while knowing their peers across the country care about their well-being," said Michael McNally of Lego Systems.
In addition to collecting Lego bricks to donate to schools, a large replica of New Orleans in the future will be built using ideas that kids send in with their donations. The structure will be donated to The Arts Council of New Orleans. Along with their brick donations, children are asked to send drawings, photos or notes describing something they think would help New Orleans regain its strength as it rebuilds. Each idea will be considered for the structure.
"We are still surveying the devastation to public art following Hurricane Katrina," said Mary Len Costa, Director of Public Art, The Arts Council of New Orleans. "We are thrilled to receive a structure made of Lego bricks that we can display for all to see the possibility of a bright future for this great city," added Costa.
Response has already been strong, with individual households contributing to the cause, as well as teachers creating a classroom activity around the donation and scout troops and other community organizations getting involved.
Each child who donates one or more Lego bricks will receive a studded rubber wristband to recognize his or her contribution to the cause. Donations will be accepted through September 30th.
The rebuilding efforts in New Orleans are under way but locals say there is still a need for more help, especially for the schools. More than 70 percent of schools in New Orleans were damaged by Hurricane Katrina and now just seven of the city's 117 public schools remain open. The school district used to employ 3,500 but has been forced to cut its staff to just 300 people. Several displaced students are now in charter schools, but access to supplies and funding can be limited.
As the community rebuilds, it's crucial for attention to remain on returning normalcy to the lives of children affected by the disaster. Time to play and create is something every child needs, especially the children of New Orleans. But playtime is not just fun time, it's also very important in helping children learn, socialize and develop creative thinking skills that will help them throughout their lives. Teachers across the country are finding it more and more challenging to incorporate creative free play into classroom time, a challenge made even more difficult by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
"We want to inspire children and families everywhere to stay mindful of this massive undertaking, but also to contribute in a playful way to a program that provides opportunities for children in New Orleans to imagine, learn and have fun, all the while knowing their peers across the country care about their well-being," said Michael McNally of Lego Systems.
In addition to collecting Lego bricks to donate to schools, a large replica of New Orleans in the future will be built using ideas that kids send in with their donations. The structure will be donated to The Arts Council of New Orleans. Along with their brick donations, children are asked to send drawings, photos or notes describing something they think would help New Orleans regain its strength as it rebuilds. Each idea will be considered for the structure.
"We are still surveying the devastation to public art following Hurricane Katrina," said Mary Len Costa, Director of Public Art, The Arts Council of New Orleans. "We are thrilled to receive a structure made of Lego bricks that we can display for all to see the possibility of a bright future for this great city," added Costa.
Response has already been strong, with individual households contributing to the cause, as well as teachers creating a classroom activity around the donation and scout troops and other community organizations getting involved.
Each child who donates one or more Lego bricks will receive a studded rubber wristband to recognize his or her contribution to the cause. Donations will be accepted through September 30th.
Senin, 12 April 2010
Checklist Before Starting a Home Based Business
When you are looking for a home business opportunity, it is important to make sure that you are aware of all that you will be required to bring to the equation. This can help save you a lot of confusion and money by avoiding opportunities that require too much from you to get started. Here is a checklist of thing that you should consider before selecting a home business opportunity.
1. Do you need to get a license to run the business? Many states require that businesses get a license before they are allowed to open. This includes home businesses in many locations. Check with your local government agencies to see what you will need to have in place to start your own home business.
2. Do you need a zoning permit? If you have a home business opportunity that requires doing actual business with the public, you are going to need to make sure that you will not be in violation of any zoning laws. Most cities have very strict residential zoning requirements and it is not hard to violate them. Make sure that the type of business you want to start will be acceptable to run at your current location.
3. How much equipment will you need to buy? You’ll need to know exactly how much money you’re going to have to spend to get your business operational. While some home business opportunities require just a computer, others may need a special printer, extra software, additional gadgets or even heavy equipment. This can add up in a short period of time. Make sure that you are aware of all the expenses that you will incur before you start up.
4. Do you have enough space in your home to devote to your business? Running an informational company is one thing, but if you are going to be stocking products in your home, you’re going to need enough space. For tax purposes, you’re also going to have to have a room that is completely devoted to your home business. This means no kid’s toys, or anything from your normal family life can intrude on this room. If you don’t have this kind of space you may need to add on to your home to accommodate your business.
5. Will you need to purchase any insurance? If you are doing business with the public at your home, you will need to get liability insurance. This will help protect you if anyone falls on your property or injures themselves in anyway. If you will be storing products, you will need to have them insured in case there is a flood or they get damaged in any way.
Lastly, you may want to consider business protection insurance that will help you in the event of any copyright infringement claims or other common complaints. Don’t forget your own health insurance, or any insurance that you may need to provide for employees. This can add up quickly and increase your overall start up costs.
1. Do you need to get a license to run the business? Many states require that businesses get a license before they are allowed to open. This includes home businesses in many locations. Check with your local government agencies to see what you will need to have in place to start your own home business.
2. Do you need a zoning permit? If you have a home business opportunity that requires doing actual business with the public, you are going to need to make sure that you will not be in violation of any zoning laws. Most cities have very strict residential zoning requirements and it is not hard to violate them. Make sure that the type of business you want to start will be acceptable to run at your current location.
3. How much equipment will you need to buy? You’ll need to know exactly how much money you’re going to have to spend to get your business operational. While some home business opportunities require just a computer, others may need a special printer, extra software, additional gadgets or even heavy equipment. This can add up in a short period of time. Make sure that you are aware of all the expenses that you will incur before you start up.
4. Do you have enough space in your home to devote to your business? Running an informational company is one thing, but if you are going to be stocking products in your home, you’re going to need enough space. For tax purposes, you’re also going to have to have a room that is completely devoted to your home business. This means no kid’s toys, or anything from your normal family life can intrude on this room. If you don’t have this kind of space you may need to add on to your home to accommodate your business.
5. Will you need to purchase any insurance? If you are doing business with the public at your home, you will need to get liability insurance. This will help protect you if anyone falls on your property or injures themselves in anyway. If you will be storing products, you will need to have them insured in case there is a flood or they get damaged in any way.
Lastly, you may want to consider business protection insurance that will help you in the event of any copyright infringement claims or other common complaints. Don’t forget your own health insurance, or any insurance that you may need to provide for employees. This can add up quickly and increase your overall start up costs.
Minggu, 11 April 2010
Charity Wristbands
Confused about how to support a cause you passionately believe in? Go for charity wristbands as they are the latest buzz in the field of promoting a cause for charity. Wristbands are mostly small loops of laminated or plastic paper placed around the forearm.
The charity wristbands give instant recognition to fight for a cause indeed. The wristbands can be used for many purposes such as to make a statement, for identification and to support any charity cause. Charity wristbands have become hugely popular these days to represent different causes. There are different types of popular charity wristbands among the public today.
Mostly the wristbands are made up of cheap silicon and rubber materials, so they are not costly at all. People may want to support many cause at times but may not be in a condition to do so financially. The wristbands are the perfect option for such people as they can easily afford to buy them and lend money to fight for the cause. Most wristbands come under $5. This can be easily afforded by anybody. If you buy the bands in a large number, there are many companies which offer discount on such purchases.
Charity wristbands come in different colors and designs. They can also have different types of designs and writings embossed on them. There are some charity wristbands which are famous worldwide. The most recognized charity wristband is the yellow band sold by Lance Armstrong Foundation. In fact the trend of charity wristbands was started by the foundation itself. Lance Armstrong is a cyclist and he survived cancer to win the most prestigious tournament in cycling. Tour De France is the most premium cycling event and he won it for a record 7 times.
Another widely recognized wristband is the white band for ‘make poverty history’. The cause is supported by many celebrities like Elton John and Bono, lead singer of U2 band. The pink wristband for supporting breast cancer is also very well known by the public. Ever since Australian pop diva Kylie Minogue has been diagnosed with breast cancer, the sale of the pink wristbands has witnessed a dramatic rise.
Celebrities endorsing a particular charity cause and taking up wearing the wristband hugely boosts public opinion about the cause. Leading footballers like Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney wear the black and white wristband to promote the cause of combating racism.
The charity band which you choose for a particular cause must be appealing to the public. The cause must be hugely publicized by the media with the involvement of celebrities. This is the one way by which people can show support for a cause. Public awareness and support for a cause is very important if you want to really fight for the cause. The band can be sued as a fashion accessory or to raise fund for a cause. The funds collected by selling the bands can be used to fund research works for finding solutions to particular causes.
Sport a charity wristband and lend your support to any cause which you deeply feel for. This will give you immense satisfaction.
The charity wristbands give instant recognition to fight for a cause indeed. The wristbands can be used for many purposes such as to make a statement, for identification and to support any charity cause. Charity wristbands have become hugely popular these days to represent different causes. There are different types of popular charity wristbands among the public today.
Mostly the wristbands are made up of cheap silicon and rubber materials, so they are not costly at all. People may want to support many cause at times but may not be in a condition to do so financially. The wristbands are the perfect option for such people as they can easily afford to buy them and lend money to fight for the cause. Most wristbands come under $5. This can be easily afforded by anybody. If you buy the bands in a large number, there are many companies which offer discount on such purchases.
Charity wristbands come in different colors and designs. They can also have different types of designs and writings embossed on them. There are some charity wristbands which are famous worldwide. The most recognized charity wristband is the yellow band sold by Lance Armstrong Foundation. In fact the trend of charity wristbands was started by the foundation itself. Lance Armstrong is a cyclist and he survived cancer to win the most prestigious tournament in cycling. Tour De France is the most premium cycling event and he won it for a record 7 times.
Another widely recognized wristband is the white band for ‘make poverty history’. The cause is supported by many celebrities like Elton John and Bono, lead singer of U2 band. The pink wristband for supporting breast cancer is also very well known by the public. Ever since Australian pop diva Kylie Minogue has been diagnosed with breast cancer, the sale of the pink wristbands has witnessed a dramatic rise.
Celebrities endorsing a particular charity cause and taking up wearing the wristband hugely boosts public opinion about the cause. Leading footballers like Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney wear the black and white wristband to promote the cause of combating racism.
The charity band which you choose for a particular cause must be appealing to the public. The cause must be hugely publicized by the media with the involvement of celebrities. This is the one way by which people can show support for a cause. Public awareness and support for a cause is very important if you want to really fight for the cause. The band can be sued as a fashion accessory or to raise fund for a cause. The funds collected by selling the bands can be used to fund research works for finding solutions to particular causes.
Sport a charity wristband and lend your support to any cause which you deeply feel for. This will give you immense satisfaction.
Sabtu, 10 April 2010
Caskets - How To Choose The Right Casket
When you are in the process of choosing a funeral casket it can be overwhelming at times. When buy a casket there is such a selection of to choose from these days. You have wood, metal, and many different gauges of steel caskets to select from.
The most important part of buying a casket first off is to make sure that the casket is a Batesville Casket. Batesville is the number #1 supplier of caskets to funeral homes in the US. Don't let someone try to talk you into some cheap overseas casket. Quality is from Batesville!
Start with the basics, would you prefer a wood or metal casket. After this look at your budget and see what price range will better suite your financial situation, and then you can pick accordingly. After that it is just a matter of personal preference. Think of the colors that your lost loved one enjoyed, and what kind of personality did they have. Were they reserved or exotic in taste, this will help you in choosing the right funeral casket for there personality. Also, there are special caskets for veterans, which show that pride of the armed forces in the artwork on the casket.
Today, you have more options than ever before when looking for the perfect casket, so I would suggest sitting down and talking to a funeral director and have them explain to you the options. Most of the time the funeral home will have a casket room that can help show you the differences between the caskets, and all the options you can add to your casket order.
When it comes down to it the only thing you need to remember is to pick the casket that you think is best for your family, never let a funeral director or anyone else try to make you purchase a casket you are not happy with. Once you find the perfect casket to honor you loved, you can rest knowing that you have done what in your heart was best, and that is what is most important.
The most important part of buying a casket first off is to make sure that the casket is a Batesville Casket. Batesville is the number #1 supplier of caskets to funeral homes in the US. Don't let someone try to talk you into some cheap overseas casket. Quality is from Batesville!
Start with the basics, would you prefer a wood or metal casket. After this look at your budget and see what price range will better suite your financial situation, and then you can pick accordingly. After that it is just a matter of personal preference. Think of the colors that your lost loved one enjoyed, and what kind of personality did they have. Were they reserved or exotic in taste, this will help you in choosing the right funeral casket for there personality. Also, there are special caskets for veterans, which show that pride of the armed forces in the artwork on the casket.
Today, you have more options than ever before when looking for the perfect casket, so I would suggest sitting down and talking to a funeral director and have them explain to you the options. Most of the time the funeral home will have a casket room that can help show you the differences between the caskets, and all the options you can add to your casket order.
When it comes down to it the only thing you need to remember is to pick the casket that you think is best for your family, never let a funeral director or anyone else try to make you purchase a casket you are not happy with. Once you find the perfect casket to honor you loved, you can rest knowing that you have done what in your heart was best, and that is what is most important.
Jumat, 09 April 2010
Caskets - General Information on Funeral Caskets
Casket, according to the Chambers Dictionary, means chest, case, box, coffer or jewel-box. It is a noun or a name that can be used to call each of these things.
But more than often, in today's world, a casket means a box that is used for the burial of a deceased human.
Caskets are generally of different types, namely cloth-cushioned, pure and solid wood, metal, keepsake boxes or urns and Jewish caskets devoid of any metal parts.
Pure wood caskets can be Ash Wood, Oak Wood, Mahogany Wood, Cherry Wood Caskets, Maple Wood, Pine, Walnut Wood, Elm, Cottonwood or Poplar Wood Caskets. Generally hard woods are preferred in this regard.
Metal caskets are generally made of stainless steel, copper or bronze.
The composition and quality of a casket determines its price. Casket prices can vary greatly depending upon the material used to construct it. For example, a fiberboard one will be low-priced as opposed to a Mahogany Wood one. Among solid wood caskets, Pine Caskets are the least expensive.
Most of the wooden caskets are hand-made, polished and varnished to appear glossy and appealing to the buyers and accordingly a high price can be charged. Pine Caskets being cheap are hardly visible on display.
The weight per square foot determines the prices of the Copper and Bronze caskets. Stainless still ones are priced according to their gauge or thickness.
What are sealed caskets?
Caskets come in various sizes, namely standard-size, large-size, infant-size
Picking the right casket comes down to the personal taste and like of the family. It is important to pick the casket that you think best honors your loved one.
But more than often, in today's world, a casket means a box that is used for the burial of a deceased human.
Caskets are generally of different types, namely cloth-cushioned, pure and solid wood, metal, keepsake boxes or urns and Jewish caskets devoid of any metal parts.
Pure wood caskets can be Ash Wood, Oak Wood, Mahogany Wood, Cherry Wood Caskets, Maple Wood, Pine, Walnut Wood, Elm, Cottonwood or Poplar Wood Caskets. Generally hard woods are preferred in this regard.
Metal caskets are generally made of stainless steel, copper or bronze.
The composition and quality of a casket determines its price. Casket prices can vary greatly depending upon the material used to construct it. For example, a fiberboard one will be low-priced as opposed to a Mahogany Wood one. Among solid wood caskets, Pine Caskets are the least expensive.
Most of the wooden caskets are hand-made, polished and varnished to appear glossy and appealing to the buyers and accordingly a high price can be charged. Pine Caskets being cheap are hardly visible on display.
The weight per square foot determines the prices of the Copper and Bronze caskets. Stainless still ones are priced according to their gauge or thickness.
What are sealed caskets?
Caskets come in various sizes, namely standard-size, large-size, infant-size
Picking the right casket comes down to the personal taste and like of the family. It is important to pick the casket that you think best honors your loved one.
Kamis, 08 April 2010
Casinos ou Culture, Singapour Attire les Touristes
Depuis que Singapour a réduit ses exportations de composants électroniques, cette dernière cherche aujourd'hui a développer son activité touristique pour compenser. Pour cela Singapour mise sur ses casinos et jeux vidéo importés.
Selon le co-fondateur de Lonely Planet Guides, si Disneyland a réussi travers le monde à s'imposer et à réunir chaque jour des millions de touristes, la Chine peut espérer alors prospérer grâce à ses casinos.
Toutefois, Singapour dispose d'un important handicape: elle n'a pas de Angkor Wat ou de Taj Mahal comme investisseur. Depuis longtemps, cette ville est surtout réputée pour ses innombrables centre commerciaux et ses promotions annuelles "Singapore sales".
Vis-à-vis des étrangers, Singapour dispose d'une image peu flatteuse en matière politique. En effet, elle est surtout connue pour ses passeurs de drogue, son taux important de vandalisme, ses coups d'état politiques et son interdiction de vendre des chewing gum. Culturellement parlant, son développement a surtout été refreiner par les multiples restrictions dont notamment la liberté d'expression et la censure de films et pièces de théâtre.
Toutefois, avec la nouvelle génération de chinois et l'influence des indiens et autres asiatiques qui commencent à voyager partout à travers le monde, Singapour a commencé à travailler sur le projet de nouvelles attractions, incluant deux nouveaux <a href="http://www.casino-en-ligne-3.com">casinos</a> ou encore un parc sur le thème du Studio Universal, et un équivalent des bateaux mouches français, même si aucun de ces projets n'est particulièrement singapourien.
Ainsi, Singapour se "démocratise" et se modernise avec l'ouverture de clubs et de ciné-clubs où l'on peut voir le film new zélandais Lord of the Rings. De plus, la fameuse société de location de films Blockbuster a ouvert ses portes et l'on y trouve à Singapour nombre de films indiens de Bollywood, afin d'attirer d'avantage de touristes indiens.
Ce même mois, quelques jours auparavant, Singapour a autorisé les courses automobiles équivalentes aux célèbres Formule 1, espérant ainsi attirer les touristes de l'autre continent. Citigroup, le groupe en charge de ce projet, espère générer un bénéfice compris entre $150 et $200 million par an, et montrer par là même que Singapour a changé.
Mettre un circuit de Formule 1 est une idée brillante mais reste encore loin d'être une idée typiquement nationale, ce qui, au final, risquerait d'enclencher une réaction inverse à l'objectif tant attendu.
Quant aux casinos, ces derniers devraient ressembler à ceux déjà présents à Macau afin d'obtenir un bénéfice de près de $37 milliards de dollars par an.
Face à ce changement radical, la population locale reste sceptique, voir pessimiste.
Pour eux, la mise en place d'un circuit de Formule 1 n'est qu'un moyen d'obtenir une publicité gratuite. Concernant les casinos qui devraient voir le jour d'ici quatre ans, ces derniers se sont réunis pour signer une pétition allant a l'encontre de ce projet, justifiant les méfaits des jeux sur les familles et les joueurs compulsifs, en ajoutant par ailleurs que ce concept attirerait d'avantage la population locale que les touristes.
Des intellectuels et représentants de communautés tels Paul Théroux , romancier et écrivain pour l'équivalent du Guide du Routard, déplorent cet engouement de la part de la ville. Pour eux, Singapour cherche à devenir une ville moderne et effacer toute son histoire et culture, pour faire place à une ville "que l'on trouve partout" , ce qui représenterait également la fin du quartier de Chinatown, célèbre pour ses magasins .
Selon le co-fondateur de Lonely Planet Guides, si Disneyland a réussi travers le monde à s'imposer et à réunir chaque jour des millions de touristes, la Chine peut espérer alors prospérer grâce à ses casinos.
Toutefois, Singapour dispose d'un important handicape: elle n'a pas de Angkor Wat ou de Taj Mahal comme investisseur. Depuis longtemps, cette ville est surtout réputée pour ses innombrables centre commerciaux et ses promotions annuelles "Singapore sales".
Vis-à-vis des étrangers, Singapour dispose d'une image peu flatteuse en matière politique. En effet, elle est surtout connue pour ses passeurs de drogue, son taux important de vandalisme, ses coups d'état politiques et son interdiction de vendre des chewing gum. Culturellement parlant, son développement a surtout été refreiner par les multiples restrictions dont notamment la liberté d'expression et la censure de films et pièces de théâtre.
Toutefois, avec la nouvelle génération de chinois et l'influence des indiens et autres asiatiques qui commencent à voyager partout à travers le monde, Singapour a commencé à travailler sur le projet de nouvelles attractions, incluant deux nouveaux <a href="http://www.casino-en-ligne-3.com">casinos</a> ou encore un parc sur le thème du Studio Universal, et un équivalent des bateaux mouches français, même si aucun de ces projets n'est particulièrement singapourien.
Ainsi, Singapour se "démocratise" et se modernise avec l'ouverture de clubs et de ciné-clubs où l'on peut voir le film new zélandais Lord of the Rings. De plus, la fameuse société de location de films Blockbuster a ouvert ses portes et l'on y trouve à Singapour nombre de films indiens de Bollywood, afin d'attirer d'avantage de touristes indiens.
Ce même mois, quelques jours auparavant, Singapour a autorisé les courses automobiles équivalentes aux célèbres Formule 1, espérant ainsi attirer les touristes de l'autre continent. Citigroup, le groupe en charge de ce projet, espère générer un bénéfice compris entre $150 et $200 million par an, et montrer par là même que Singapour a changé.
Mettre un circuit de Formule 1 est une idée brillante mais reste encore loin d'être une idée typiquement nationale, ce qui, au final, risquerait d'enclencher une réaction inverse à l'objectif tant attendu.
Quant aux casinos, ces derniers devraient ressembler à ceux déjà présents à Macau afin d'obtenir un bénéfice de près de $37 milliards de dollars par an.
Face à ce changement radical, la population locale reste sceptique, voir pessimiste.
Pour eux, la mise en place d'un circuit de Formule 1 n'est qu'un moyen d'obtenir une publicité gratuite. Concernant les casinos qui devraient voir le jour d'ici quatre ans, ces derniers se sont réunis pour signer une pétition allant a l'encontre de ce projet, justifiant les méfaits des jeux sur les familles et les joueurs compulsifs, en ajoutant par ailleurs que ce concept attirerait d'avantage la population locale que les touristes.
Des intellectuels et représentants de communautés tels Paul Théroux , romancier et écrivain pour l'équivalent du Guide du Routard, déplorent cet engouement de la part de la ville. Pour eux, Singapour cherche à devenir une ville moderne et effacer toute son histoire et culture, pour faire place à une ville "que l'on trouve partout" , ce qui représenterait également la fin du quartier de Chinatown, célèbre pour ses magasins .
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